You never make any of the shots you never take. 87% of the ones you do take, you'll miss too. I make 110% of my shots.
Larry BirdRead
You can make all the excuses you want, but if you're not mentally tough and you're not prepared to play every night, you're not going to win.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mental toughness and preparation are key to success in any competitive environment.
Larry Bird's quote emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and consistent preparation in achieving success. It suggests that no matter how many excuses one might have, without the right mindset and readiness to perform, victory cannot be attained. This reflects a broader principle in competitive sports and life: that personal accountability and resilience are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving one's goals.
Themes
Mental ToughnessPreparationSuccessAccountabilityCompetition
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to young athletes about the importance of dedication.
More from Larry Bird
All quotes βWhen I was young, I never wanted to leave the court until I got things exactly correct. My dream was to become a pro.
Larry BirdRead
Practice habits were crucial to my development in basketball. I didn't play against the toughest competition in high school, but one reason I was able to do well in college was that I mastered the fundamentals. You've got to have them down before you can even think about playing.
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It's been a journey, the NBA. It's taken me a lot farther than I ever expected.
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Leadership is diving for a loose ball, getting the crowd involved, getting other players involved. It's being able to take it as well as dish it out. That's the only way you're going to get respect from the players.
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I learned what my weaknesses were and I went out the next day to turn those weaknesses intro strengths.
Larry BirdRead
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